Centered Flange Torsional Damper for Balanced Spring Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-line torsional vibration dampers have an off-center flange, leading to unequal load distribution and bending of springs, which affects their operational efficiency and durability.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an intermediate flange with centering tabs that align with the output flange, ensuring equal load distribution across the springs by centering the intermediate flange with respect to the output flange, using radially outwardly facing surfaces and drive tabs to maintain alignment and balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an off-center flange is used in the torsional vibration damper, then the structure can be simpler to manufacture, but the load distribution on the springs becomes unequal causing bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the flange to be off-center relative to the spring assembly. This asymmetric configuration allows the flange to be simpler to manufacture while the spring arrangement compensates for the uneven positioning, maintaining reliable load distribution through the asymmetric spring placement pattern.
2Ease of manufacture
If flanges are not centered on the circumferential center line of springs, then manufacturing is easier, but spring bending occurs reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design where the flange is deliberately positioned off the circumferential center line of the springs. This asymmetric arrangement simplifies manufacturing operations while the corresponding asymmetric spring configuration ensures that operational efficiency is maintained by distributing loads appropriately across the spring assembly.
3Device complexity
If an off-center flange configuration is used, then device assembly is simpler, but spring bending reduces durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes asymmetric positioning of the flange relative to the spring assembly, which reduces the complexity of device assembly and manufacturing. The asymmetric spring arrangement is designed to compensate for the off-center flange position, ensuring that durability is maintained by preventing excessive bending stresses on individual springs through the asymmetric load distribution pattern.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration equalizes the loading on the springs, reduces bending, and enhances the operational efficiency and durability of the torsional vibration damper by ensuring balanced torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring including a first end directly engaged with the first drive surface and a second end directly engaged with the first drive tab; and a second spring including a first end directly engaged with the second drive tab and a second end directly engaged with the second drive surface
Data Source
AI summary
A torsional vibration damper, including: an output flange supported for rotation around an axis of rotation and including a first drive surface and a second drive surface; an intermediate flange including a first drive tab aligned in series with the first drive surface in a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation and a second drive tab aligned in series with the second drive surface in the circumferential direction; a first spring including a first end directly engaged with the first drive surface and a second end directly engaged with the first drive tab; and a second spring including a first end directly engaged with the second drive tab and a second end directly engaged with the second drive surface. In an example embodiment, the intermediate flange includes a centering tab in contact with the output flange and arranged to center the intermediate flange with respect to the output flange.